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 Sermon on Revelation 16

The Seven Last Plagues

By Brian Pepper

There are many people in the world today who feel quite convinced in their own minds that we have almost come to the end of all things. But they are not making any effort at all to prepare themselves to meet the Saviour. Most folk, although they are troubled in their minds and they realize that a great crisis faces them, they just can’t be bothered doing anything. One man said "When the time comes, I will be ready to take my medicine." Others say, "God is too much of a God of love to harm anybody."
 

A Judgment Coming

Matthew 13:37-43; "He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom but the tares are the children of the wicked one. The enemy that sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
41; The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth, Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." 

There is a judgment coming. There is an end to this present world. That is made very clear from this statement of our Lord. 

In Matthew 24:14; we read, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a witness unto all nations, and then the end shall come."


Window of Opportunity

God has commissioned the giving of this gospel message to the entire world. Today men have the opportunity to make their decision either for the acceptance or the rejecting of Jesus Christ. Soon this opportunity will no longer be available. It will be too late when Jesus comes. 

In Revelation 22:11; we read, "He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still."

When Jesus steps down from His ministration of forgiving sins, when the last case has been decided, then that fateful decree is issued from which there is no appeal. No opportunity to become a Christian now.

If a sinner --- such we shall remain. If a Christian--- A Christian we remain. All changes in our lives and characters have been made that will ever be made. If our sins are not forgiven before Jesus ceases His ministry, we have waited too long to have it done. The Holy Spirit will be withdrawn from this earth.

Just as Noah was locked in the ark, by an angel hand before the flood came, and the shutting of the door of the ark sealed the doom of every man and woman on earth; those in the ark were safe, those outside were lost. The rejecters of God's grace were destroyed. And just as there was a little time between the closing of the door of the ark and the coming of the flood, so there will be a little time between the final decree and the coming of Christ.

That time will filled by the seven last plagues.
 

God's Wrath Coming

We are told that God's wrath will be poured out.

Revelation 14:9,10; "And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of His indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb."

Up to this time God has always tempered His judgments with mercy. But now His anger is poured out upon unrepentant men and women.


Why is God's Wrath Poured Out?

Why does God do this? There are several reasons. First of all Men and women have become so evil that they were like the people in the days of Noah.

Genesis 6:5; "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." 

Another is that they have persecuted His people. They have gone to the limit in evil. 

Now John the Revelator brings to us a picture of this wrath of God.

Revelation 15:1; "And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God."

Revelation 16:1; "And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.”


The 1st Plague - Boils

Verse 2; "And the first went, and poured out His wrath upon the earth: and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast and upon them which worshipped his image."

The first plague is a grievous sore which falls upon those who have the mark of the beast. Yes, a sore or cancer. Here at last God marks outwardly those who inwardly have the mark of the beast. The plagues are poured out on those who have rejected the 3 angels' message. No word or man can better describe the picture than has already been done by the prophet of God. 

Isaiah 1:6; "From the soul of the foot, even unto the head there is no soundness in it but wounds, and bruises, and putrefying sores, they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment."

The worship of the beast is looked upon with such adherence by God that a plague is directed against those who do so.

When this plague falls there will be only two classes of people. Those who are sealed with the seal of the living God and those who have the mark of the beast.

And it would seem to be rather appropriate that the first plague of the seven last plagues falls on those in modern harlot Babylon who are guilty of spiritual fornication.

This age of ours is an age of creature worship, and the 7 last plagues demonstrates that the things that men worship are false gods. The worshippers of the beast and his image receive the full force of the very first plague because they are guilty of the most grievous sin of the last generation.
 

 The 2nd Plague - Sea Became Blood

And now the second plague, Revelation 16:3; “And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea, and it became as the blood of a dead man.”

The first angel plagued the earth and the men upon it. The second one has to do with the sea and the great bodies of water.

Why? Why does God do this? Yes, why turn the sea into the blood of a dead man? Moffatt declares that the “coagulated blood” becomes fatal to animal life. The death of the creatures of the sea with the stench of their decaying carcasses strewn along the shore will produce conditions that are indescribable. 

This is God’s answer to why He does this. Revelation 18:15; "The merchants of these things which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing. And saying, alas, alas the great city that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls. For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships and sailors, and as many as travel by sea, stood afar off. And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, what city is like unto this great city?"

Great wealth has poured into the Vatican from all over the world. She has been greatly enriched by international commerce. The fishing fleets in every country manned by her loyal subject have brought continued prosperity. But now it is all over. The end of her prosperity has come.


The 3rd Plague - Rivers Became Blood

Well if the second plague is bad, the third is worse,

Revelation 16:4; "And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters, and they became blood." 

The rivers and fountains of water become blood. Why? Why does God do this? God says, "I will tell you why." 

Revelation 16:6; "For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy." 

You see friends we might be inclined to think that this plague is too severe and cruel. That is because we cannot see them from heaven's viewpoint. The angels whose ability to love is far greater than ours fully approve of them. They are in a better position to judge than we are.

Addressing God the Angel of the waters declared, "Thou hast given them blood to drink, for they deserve it." (Concordant) 

Just the other day I read a newspaper report from Belgrade. "A Yugoslav court yesterday sentenced to death a Catholic priest by hanging as a war criminal. He was identified by a Communist newspaper as Marjan Herman, wartime leader of a quisling group and head of a monastery. The prosecution alleged that he personally participated in the killing of 600 on July 7, 1941. In another massacre on August 8 of the same year, the indictment said, he ordered living victims to be sawn in half." 

Yes they have shed the blood of God’s people and they will be given a taste of their own medicine.
 

The 4th Plague - Sun Scorched Men with Great Heat

And now the fourth plague, Revelation 16:8; "And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire."
Verse 9 “And men were scorched with great heat and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory."

Friends if you think that it has been hot lately, I tell you that it will be nothing, absolutely nothing to the heat of this plague. We are told that men will be scorched with great heat. 

The Prophet Joel gives us a picture of what it will be like. Joel 1:18; "Why do the beasts groan and the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture, yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate. 0 Lord, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field." 

Why does God do this? Well I will tell you. Men have worshipped the sun and now the sun becomes a scourge. They call down fire from heaven, now they taste it. 

Revelation 13:13; "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men." 

Men have placed Sunday where God's Sabbath should be, Sunday is the pagan day of worship. You will remember that in the plagues of Egypt that it was the things that the Egyptians worshipped that became scourges to them. Once again the tables are turned. During this plague the world will have its worst drought, its worst heat wave, the most severe famine that has ever been known.


The 5th Plague - Darkness

When the fifth plague falls we find that the effects of the first plague are still being felt. 

Revelation 16:10; "And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast: and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain."
Verse 11; “And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds."           

Yes, when this plague is poured out they are still suffering from the pain of their sores, now darkness crowds in, after the intense heat the darkness would be terrifying. 

In Exodus 10:21; "And the Lord said unto Moses, stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness, over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt." 

When God punished Pharaoh he brought upon him intense darkness. And so God will bring intense darkness upon the worshippers of the beast. Why? Because they have enshrouded millions in the mystic darkness of sun worship and falsehood. Yes, this plague is directed at the "throne of the beast.” 


And They Gnawed Their Tongues for Pain

The very power that caused unnumbered million of martyrs to gnaw their tongues for pain on the rack and the stake, now receive the terrible penalty of their fiendish crimes. They are judged as they judged. The tongues of the Papal leaders, who have spoken blasphemies against God, His Name, His Sanctuary, and His Truth, are now stilled.

Rome the centre of the world's intrigue, duplicity, pride, pretense, arrogance, craft, and hypocrisy will have filled to her, double the Cup of Suffering and sorrow she had filled for others to drink. Then it will be that the Question is answered, "Who is able to make war with him?" will be, “And great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath." 

Those who have worshipped the beast will find that the beast cannot protect them. Another thing, those who find it embarrassing now to be loyal to the Creator will find it very embarrassing then.
 

God's People Will be Protected

Yes the Psalmist answers our question; God’s People will be protected. Yes, during this visitation of God's judgment they are protected. Jesus has promised to never leave or forsake His people and now He makes good that promised. 

Yes in Job 5:19 He says; "He will deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee." 

The people of God are sheltered and protected. They have honoured God by their obedience and now they are supplied with bread and water. 

Isaiah 33:16; "He shall dwell on high, his place shall be the munition of rocks, bread shall be given him, his water shall be sure." 

If it is necessary God will bring the ravens into service again as in the time of Elijah.


The 6th Plague - Drying Up of the Waters 

And now the sixth plague, Revelation 16:12; "And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared." 

The drying up of the great river Euphrates is none other than the drying up of powers that occupy that territory.

Revelation 17:15 tells us that the waters are peoples, nations, and tongues. Inspired by unseen devilish forces the nations are whipped into a frenzy. 

"The kings of the earth and of the whole world" verse 14; The whole world will be a vast battlefield, the scene of the final contest right here where for so long Satan has led men against God. Rebellion is to be forever repressed.

In Testimonies by E.G. White Vol. 9:17; I read, "So tremendous will be that conflagration that were it not for the fact that God sends down His mighty ones to protect His people they would be wiped off the earth. In the midst of the time of trouble that is coming ....God's chosen people will stand unmoved. Satan and his host cannot destroy them, for angels that excel in strength will protect them." 

The real issue at stake in Armageddon will be spiritual. It will be a struggle between the devil and the wicked nations on one side and God and His peopleE on the other. It will terminate at the coming of Christ.


The 7th Plague - Earthquake and Hail Stones

Revelation 16:17-18; "And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done, And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.” 

The final scenes of this Earth's history are rapidly brought to a climax during this plague. The greatest earthquake of all time shakes this earth. 

Revelation 16:20 "And every Island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent, and men blasphemed God because of the plague of hail, for the plague thereof was exceedingly great."   

The Earth quakes and crumbles under the mighty shaking, and then to add to this shaking the greatest storm ever witnessed by man begins to take effect. Great hail stones each weighing about 25kg begin their barrage on this sin cursed earth.      


Is it Possible to Escape the Seven Last Plagues?

The question comes, "How can we escape the seven last plagues?” 

Those who have been diligent in their service for God who have taken the time to treasure the words of Jesus. They have no need to fear. 

Amos 8:11,12; "Behold the day is come saith the Lord that I will send a famine in the land, Not a famine for bread nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the WORD of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the WORD of the Lord and shall not find it." 

Now is the time to be found studying our Bibles as we have never studied them before. To fill the mind with the precious words of God and there will be no famine for you or for me. 

Listen to this statement, "None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict." 

Today Jesus is calling and asking us to give Him our hearts service. Will we respond by saying "I will follow thee my Savior wheresoever my lot may be.”
The whole thing demands that we should be ready to meet the great crisis.

How will it find you? How will it find me? Waiting or Wanting?

 

  Sermons
The Bible in Song Sermons category is expected to be enlarged over time as hard copy sermon notes are scanned, typed and edited in webpage format. Visit Sermons Page for the complete list of sermons and Bible Commentaries
 

 
  PDF Sermon Files
Click image for sample. The Complete Sermon Collection is available at the Store Page. It includes 169 sermons which are listed on the Sermons Page, plus several audio visual sermonettes and a number of incomplete sermons. Original typed sermon notes have been scanned in PDF files on a DVD.

 

 
  PDF Revelation Files
Easy access to all the uploaded Revelation Bible Commentaries written by Brian Pepper. Also a CD of the complete Book of Revelation consisting of 22 PDF files scanned from original typed documents. These files can be downloaded by Adobe Acrobat to view on computer screen, or printed in booklet or other format.

 

 
  SDA Prophecy Chart
Bible in Song Sermons and Commentaries pages have exposed flaws in the "2300 day" prophecy chart most notably used by Seventh-day Adventists. Seventh-day Adventists in their biblical interpretation have favored the tradition of their founding fathers over Scripture and the "divine revelation" of their own prophet Ellen White. Read more.

 

 
 
  Testimonials
Thank you for posting some of (Brian Pepper's) sermons. It's like reading the very words Jesus has spoken to me and is a great encouragement. I cannot say that about many Pastors but I can say that about (Pr Pepper). Thank you. Robert @yeshuaskingdom.org (USA) ... more testimonials.

 

 
 

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